Madurai, the temple town of India in Tamil Nadu, is said to be constructed in the form of a lotus and is also known as the ‘Lotus City’. Synonymous with Madurai is the Meenakshi Sundareswarar twin Temple, the pivot around which the city has evolved. The temples are surrounded by concentric circles all around giving the essence of the cosmos. Madurai is one of the oldest cities of India and is closely associated with the Tamil language.

The city is famous for is rich cultural heritage and the cuisine of Madurai inherits the true taste of Tamils. It is well-known for its unique and exclusive foods like Paruthi Paal, Jigarthanda, Panangkarkandu Paal and Chettinadu varieties like Appam, Kuzhi Paniyaram, etc. Amongst beverages, tender coconut, the Madurai Tea and South Indian Filter Coffee and the popular Jil Jil Jigarthanda prepared using Milk, China Grass, sweet syrup and Vanilla Ice-cream is a hot favourite.

Best time to visit:

Madurai has hot and dry climate for most part of the year. The best time for visiting the place is from October to March.

Top five places to see:

Meenakshi Temple – The famous Meenakshi Temple is a huge temple of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, also known as Meenakshi. This historic temple located on the south side of river Vaigai in Madurai is one of the most prominent landmarks of the city.

Thirumalai Nayak Palace – About 1.5 kms. from the Meenakshi temple, this palace was built in 1636 by the ruler whose name it bears. The imposing edifice is famous for the ‘Stuccowork’ on its domes and impressive arches.

Gandhi Museum – The Gandhi Museum is a master piece that depicts the highlights of the freedom struggle and contains a picture gallery of the Gandhian movement. A gallery of relics, Khadi, village industries and a section on South Indian Handicrafts can also be seen here.

Vaigai Dam – The Vaigai Dam is a giant dam constructed on the river Vaigai and has been the lifeline of the agricultural lands in the neighbourhood and because of it the areas have flourished in leaps and bounds. It provides clean and fresh drinking water to the region of Madurai.

Alagar Koil – Alagar Koil is a beautiful temple situated in the north east of Madurai. The temple is the abode of Lord Vishnu and is the sacred place for several followers of Lord Vishnu in the region.